Spanish chocolate bar sweetens Globe Lane

Chocolateria San Churro, which opened in Globe Lane this week, is among a new wave of intimate venues that are transforming Wollongong’s nightlife and breathing life into the city centre.

The Spanish-themed chain follows on the heels of  Dagwood, a small bar that launched in Market Street in December and Howlin’ Wolf, a blues and whisky joint that opened in Crown Street in January. 

The effect is a vibrant culinary culture that focuses on ambiance and authenticity, more reminiscent of the bustling streets of New York or Melbourne than the dingy Globe Lane of old.

GPT centre manager Dean Young said the aim was to  create a sense of character in Globe Lane and encourage residents to see the city as a cultural destination. 

‘‘The Little Prince was the starting point, then it was His Boy Elroy, which is not a traditional cafe,’’ Mr Young said. ‘‘Now it’s Chocolateria San Churro and there’s more to come.

‘‘You can’t create character overnight. It needs to build naturally.’’

With demolition works underway on Crown Street Mall and the process of bringing down the arches kicking off this week, the store’s opening has come at a perfect time for the city, My Young said.

‘‘The next few months are going to be challenging, but at the end of it we’re going to have a great product for Wollongong,’’ he said. 

‘‘I think Globe Lane has the potential to be something really special.’’

Chocolateria San Churro, one of 32 locations around the country, will trade until 11pm most nights and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Wollongong councillor Michelle Blicavs said the new chocolate store, and the revitalisation of the CBD as a whole, represented an exciting time for the city. 

‘‘It has really activated Globe Lane,’’ Cr Blicavs said. 

‘‘You can have a wine at Little Prince, dinner at His Boy Elroy, and coffee and cake at San Churro.’’

Cr Blicavs said there was ‘‘a real energy’’ in Wollongong as work began on the Crown Street Mall revamp.